EOU raids premises of corrupt excise inspector and seized assets worth crores

EOU Raids Premises of Corrupt Excise Inspector in Bihar

EOU raids premises of corrupt excise - In a significant operation, the Economic Offences Unit (EOU) conducted coordinated raids on Thursday, targeting a senior excise inspector in Bihar accused of corruption. The raids, carried out in Patna, Munger, and Siwan, focused on Ankesh Kumar Gond, who is alleged to have amassed assets worth ₹2.36 crore, far surpassing his reported income. This investigation marks another step in the EOU’s efforts to expose financial misconduct among public officials.

Assets Seized During the Investigation

The EOU’s search teams scrutinized multiple premises linked to Gond, uncovering discrepancies in his financial records. Key locations included his residence in Sultanpur, ancestral home in Chandanbagh (Munger), and office in Siwan’s Excise Department. Alongside these, a rented unit near Chitragupta Nagar’s registry office was also raided. The operation aimed to trace illicit wealth and verify the inspector’s claims of financial transparency.

During the raids, authorities seized a range of assets, including a three-story mansion in Sultanpur valued at ₹80 lakh, several vehicles such as an SUV, cars, and motorcycles, and a PPF account containing ₹54 lakh. Additionally, documents like bank passbooks, insurance policies, and a locker were recovered. These findings highlight the scale of the alleged corruption and the EOU’s thorough approach to asset recovery.

Investigations revealed that Gond’s wife, Poonam Devi, purchased an SUV (Innova Crysta) in 2020 using cash, with purchase records found during the search. Other items, including registration papers for a Hyundai i10 and Tata Altroz, mutual fund investments, and an invoice for an auctioned vehicle in Neora police station, were also seized. The EOU’s focus on financial trails underscores its strategy to connect personal wealth with public duties.

One notable discovery was a Mahindra Scorpio, registered under Gond’s relative, which was leased to the excise department but allegedly used for personal purposes. This finding raises questions about the inspector’s misuse of official resources. The recovered items will now be analyzed to build a case, with legal proceedings potentially following. The EOU’s actions aim to deter corruption by showcasing accountability in high-ranking officials.

The EOU has emphasized its commitment to investigating public officials suspected of misusing their positions for personal gain. This case aligns with previous operations targeting similar officials, demonstrating the agency’s consistent efforts to root out financial misconduct. By seizing assets worth crores, the raids underscore the magnitude of the inspector’s alleged wrongdoing and the potential for substantial legal consequences.

"Avinash, a senior correspondent, reports on crime, railways, defence and social sector, with specialisation in police, home department and other investigation agencies."